Dabo Swinney did a little campaigning this weekend.
No, it wasn’t for a political candidate. Swinney has said that he doesn’t support political organizations. Rather, the Clemson coach asked fans to support former Tigers soccer star Ousmane Sylla. Sylla is nominated for a 2024 ESPY Award and received a public voting push from the school’s most powerful coach and public figure Sunday.
Sylla is one of four players nominated in the category for Best Men’s College Athlete at the ESPYS. In a short video posted to social media, Swinney encouraged Tiger fans to cast their vote for Sylla.
Joining Sylla on the list are former LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, former Purdue center and first-round NBA draft pick Zach Edey, and former Notre Dame lacrosse star Pat Kavanagh.
“Hey, what’s up, Clemson fam? Hey listen, one of our very best, Ousmane Sylla, our great national champion soccer player, he’s up for an ESPY for the Best Male College Athlete. So, let’s all get behind him. Let’s vote between now and July 11. Just go to ESPN.com/ESPYS and let’s help Ousmane,” Swinney said in the video.
Added Swinney: “Go Tigers! We’ll see y’all in The Valley soon!”
You heard Coach Swinney, go vote for Ousmane Sylla on slide 9 at https://t.co/O8M8z6JcRc for best Male College Athlete! 🐅#ClemsonUnited pic.twitter.com/42wS9AN98P
— Clemson Men's Soccer (@ClemsonMSoccer) June 29, 2024
Sylla is in his rookie season with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo FC. A native of Dakar, Senegal, Sylla scored 13 goals and 36 points for the Tigers last season. His final goal came at the 90-minute mark of the team’s 2-1 victory over Notre Dame in the national championship match.
The win gave Clemson its second soccer national championship in three years and the fourth in school history.
Sylla won the MAC Hermann Trophy for his elite performance during the 2023 season. He was the fourth player in Clemson history to win the prestigious award. Robbie Robinson won it in 2019, Wotjek Krakowiak did so in 1998, and Bruce Murray was the program’s first winner in 1987.
The 2024 ESPYS will be televised on ABC July 11 beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.
Sylla is bidding to become the second Clemson athlete to win an ESPY for Best Men’s College Athlete. Former Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson won the award in 2017 after leading Clemson to its first college football national championship in 25 years.
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